Is it abnormal to get depressed easily as a teen?

Question

I'm 16 and the littlest things will bring me down and depress me. I'm very insecure and have no self-confidence. Is this normal for a teen? How can I fix it?

Answer 1

Nope. I was at my most depressed state when I was 16. It's a chemical imbalance in your brain. Go to your doctor and ask for a drug called "sertraline" because you may have a condition called "dysthemia." It's a very mild anti-depressant and some of the ingredients are found in zyloft, a drug that helps people quit smoking so it's very safe.

Answer 2

Nope, not abnormal, especially if you feel okay or good just as easily.

Focus on:
* eating healthy (go with fruits, veggies, unprocessed meats instead of junk and fast foods),
* getting regular exercize (fast walks/running/sports and stretches/yoga at least 4 days a week),
* recognizing when you make someone smile or laugh, do well in school, successfully complete anything easy or hard - and give yourself the same pat on the back that you would anyone else,
* when you start to get on yourself, stop and ask yourself if you'd be down on anyone else who did the same (probably not, so try to not be so hard on yourself),
* look for friends who really appreciate you for who you are, not who they want you to be,
* talk openly to someone you trust about how you feel,
* let your parents know how you are feeling (they love you so try to keep that communication door wide open),
* most important, just be your own unique special person... yourself as you are.

If after a couple months of honestly focusing on these types of things you still find yourself feeling down most the time, that's the time to talk to a counselor at school or your regular doctor. Anti-depressants and other medications aren't quick fixes and if you don't really have a chemical imbalance, they aren't apt to do much for you (except maybe side effects). If you do have a real physical condition, that's when they help.

Smile. Just recognizing where you're at and asking this question says good stuff about you.

Answer 3

YES YES AND MORE YES!!!

First of all...there is NOTHING to fix...I know this does not help but you really need to realize there is nothing wrong with you. The teen years are fraught with new realizations, new awareness, and new body functions.

I know that as a 16 yr female your not new to your body functions...but it is puberty that begins a new awareness of self...both physically and mentally.

We begin to overanalyze our imperfect bodies, comparing them to the perfect forms we see in our classmates as well as famous folks.

It does not matter what you look like, all teens feel they are inadequate to some extent.

On the cognitive side, you have all this new mind power, reasoning ability, ability to figure things out on your own, an ability to think and feel for yourself...yet you are not allowed to.

Your parents still try to run your life, not taking your plans into account, you want independence yet deep down know you are too inexperienced...but the feeling is still there...and the majority of the time you still feel you could go it.

Maybe I am not hitting any hot spots with you; I could go into more detail...

My main point here is your not weird, abnormal, crazy, broken, damaged, different, just because you experience depression...EVERYONE suffers from depression from mild to pretty bad...and from only rarely to somewhat often. Knowing that only lets you know you are not crazy or that you need fixing. It does not really help reduce those feelings and I know that (so do you).

Now if your are depressed non stop for weeks...then you need to seek counceling.

Drugs are never a good option...you don't go to the doc and say...give me this...you will do more damage...especially if you don't NEED them...drugs are for more sever cases.

I've found when I felt that way it helped to have someone to talk to, you can't solve the problem easily, there is nothing you can do to instantly feel better...but getting it off your chest can help...this is my only solution...since teenage years are fraught with these turmoils...being an adult in mind but not in experience...and thus being treated like a kid...are never ending...I'm 24 and my parents are still doing it to me. So...

Find someone you can talk with...someone present in your day to day life...that would be best. Just don't give up...high school sucks and never is a good thing...college is better...

Answer 4

It's not abnormal! actually it's quite typical! 16 is an emotional age i was depressed my teen years too! my advice is this look in the mirror at ur reflection and say out loud I AM A BEAUTIFUL YOUNG LADY BECAUSE GOD MADE ME AND HE IS BEAUTIFUL!My grandmother's friend told me to recite sumthin like that 3 times in the mirror and gradually as i started reciting i began to feel better and better about myself i began to cry less and vent more! the way u vent is by doing the things u love to do! Like for example:writing now u try! Ur hobby: trust me u'll feel much better! stay strong! Ur best years are yet to come!Please be around to see them!

Answer 5

While it isn't out of the ordinary for teens to get depressed, depression is never a normal part of development. Adolescents are much more prone to depression because of numerous changes in theie bodies (hormones, growing, puberty, etc.) and a HUGE amount of pressure to fit in and be cool. The highest suicide rates around the world are in adolescents, especially boys. The best bet is to get to a doctor. If the depression is imparing your ability to function in school or at home, it needs to be treated, now. I hope you are able to get better.

Answer 6

Although many teens feel as though the world is ending over little things, you may need to consider getting treatment.
If you find yourself more withdrawn than usual, overeating-undereating, sleeping more, or not being able to sleep at all, it could be serious.
Talking to a therapist is always a good first step. Good Luck :)

Answer 7

You need to do three things.

1) Change your diet (more raw vegetables

2) Get into the sun more (you may have SAD)

3) Exercise program (get those endorphans going)

Answer 8

again i am answering your question: i saw what you wrote on your Q&A you wrote that you are a sexy and smart 16 year old....remember this:

'a moment of your life is just a moment...it's not your whole life! so keep walking and don't look back!'

now i want you to do that and if you want...i want you to email me so we can talk

[e-mail]


good luck....

Answer 9

It's a part of the human condition. I don't know what else to tell you really beside you should become a Buddhist.